Return policy

Recall Policy

It is our policy to contact owners that have purchased recalled product within the past 30 days, (except in situations where the recall period is less than 30 days). Even if we did not contact you, you can still come in to the store and receive full credit at the customer service desk.

Boycott Policy (drafted 5/22/03)

Purpose

Guidelines

The Co-op is a consumer owned business; our products are selected based on our understanding of our Owners' interest and in accordance with a variety of criteria outlined in our Food and Product Selection Philosophy. Many concerns related to product can be addressed by simply removing the product due to low sales. Sometimes, a boycott is useful to make a point to a producer we would like to see perform better. In these cases, we recognize the boycott actions of other reputable organizations. Owners also have the right to object to the decision to carry product and the right to engage in advocacy pertaining to the removal of product.

Recognized Boycott Actions

The Co-op will recognize boycotts called by qualified organizations and initiate a 14-day comment period for Owners to become informed and provide feedback. An organization must meet the following criteria in order for the Co-op to consider recognizing their boycott:

Organization must be nonpartisan, meaning that they must not endorse political parties or candidates

Organization must be local or have a local chapter/division by our local definition (In Wisconsin or within a 150 mile radius from the Capitol).

Owner Driven Boycotts

In the event that Owners wish to request that the Co-op engage in an organization wide product removal or boycott, Owners may comment via customer comment forms in-store, or via the Contact Us page on our website. Should the Co-op receive comments over a one year (365 day) period about a specific product or brand from one percent (1%) or more of the total Owners reported at the end of the last Fiscal Year, a 14-day comment period will be initiated for Owners to become informed and provide feedback.

The Co-op reserves the right to fact check and reply publicly to the collective summary of reasons Owners give for requesting to remove product or boycott.

14-Day Comment Period

The Co-op will start the comment period by posting a factual summary of the issues and either information about a recognized boycott or the collected comments of Owners in the Owner Resources Areas at all locations and on the Co-op website. Links to the information online will be provided on social media. The Co-op will also flag all affected product on the shelves in the stores, so that all Owners shopping the product are aware that we are seeking their input.

Owners will have an opportunity to sign-in and comment publicly on our Website, or anonymously via our Contact Us page or customer comment forms in the stores. Comments from those who would like to be included in the conversation anonymously will be verified for Ownership by our staff and their comment will then be added to the public commentary online. Only one comment (the first comment made) per voting Ownership will be considered in the decision whether or not to boycott.

The comment period is not a vote, it is an opportunity for Owners to provide feedback to staff regarding whether or not to take action regarding the product in question. Staff will use both sales trends, comments, and total numbers of Ownership participation when considering taking action.

Boycott Outcome

The Co-op will decide what actions to take within 21 days of the conclusion of the comment period. Actions and outcomes will be posted online and in the following month’s newsletter. Any articles or letters the Co-op writes to companies or legislators or others regarding issues surrounding the product in question will be made public.

Donation Policy

Donations Budget Policy and Principles

The primary purpose of Willy Street Co-op's donations is to make store merchandise available, at Owner prices, to not-for-profit groups making requests for assistance. A secondary purpose of the program is to make Co-op funds available to not-for-profit groups for special projects and fundraising efforts. We recognize the support role the Co-op can play to encourage and foster neighborhood development.

The donations budget is administered by the Director of Cooperative Services and is renewed annually on our July-June Fiscal Year. In Fiscal Year 2015, the donations budget is $16,000. When cooperative businesses request funding, disbursements may be made from the co-op development budget ($5000 in FY2015). Funds for donations are capped quarterly to ensure funding is available throughout the year.

Criteria

Non-DiscriminationGroups making requests must be nondiscriminatory. Any form of discrimination based on age, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, disability, or any other category protected by state or federal law is contrary to the principles and policies of Willy Street Co-op.

PriorityPriority is given to the following groups: 501( c ) 3 charitable organizations, 170( c )(1) government entities (such as public schools), and cooperative businesses.

Donations are generally considered on a first come, first serve basis. When multiple groups request contributions during the same period, priority is given to those who demonstrate a greater need.

Groups involved with multiple events and projects are strongly encouraged to request a lump-sum for all of the events and projects to occur from July to June. Priority is given to organizations who have not already received funding from the Co-op within a given fiscal year.

The Co-op supports fundraising, development, and educational projects or events that are consistent with the Co-op's bylaws, ends policies, and goals. Priority is given to projects and events that benefit the public, though private events that also benefit the community may also be supported.

Disqualified RequestsOrganizations who engage with animals as part of achieving their mission must adopt a policy of humane animal treatment. The Co-op refrains from funding organizations that use animals for the purposes of product testing or other research.

The Co-op refrains from fundraising for or contributing to third-party charitable efforts and/or individuals.

Global Ends Policy

The Williamson Street Grocery Co-op is, and will remain, an economically viable and environmentally sound business cooperatively owned by its owners; its primary mission, as expressed in article 1.1 of our bylaws, is to operate a retail grocery store that forms a cornerstone of a vibrant community.

Policy A3:

WSGC is a cornerstone of a vibrant economically and environmentally sound community.

A3.1 Local farmers, manufacturers and distributors work in partnership with WSGC. A3.1.1 Foster local production of goods, including food. A3.2 Other businesses and co-ops link with WSGC to improve services. A3.3 Persons of all ages and economic groups view the Co-op as an important resource for their well-being.

Policy A4:

Workers participate in management, work in a humane environment and are recognized and rewarded as being fundamental to a thriving community.

A4.1 Become an employer of choice in Madison, WI

Policy A5:

The Co-op pursues growth and expansion opportunities that meet the long-term needs of its owners and workers.

A5.1 Grow and link neighborhood grocery co-ops.

Policy A6:

Board and management commit to ongoing system improvement.

A6.1 Make healthy, timely decisions.A6.2 Best operational practices are identified and implemented.A6.3 There exists a systems approach to sustainability.

These policies statements shall be reviewed at each board meeting, and the GM shall provide a monitoring report in February.

Adopted by action of the Williamson Street Grocery Co-op Board of Directors on October 12, 2002. Amended by action of the Williamson Street Grocery Co-op Board of Directors on February 8, 2003. Amended by action of the Williamson Street Grocery Co-op Board of Directors on April 4, 2005.

Tabling Policy

Willy Street Co-op supports providing opportunities for nonpartisan and secular 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations to network with our community in a designated area outside on Co-op property. Organizations must be nondiscriminatory. Any form of discrimination based on age, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, disability, or any other category protected by state or federal law is contrary to the principles and policies of Willy Street Co-op.

Eligible organizations are required to adhere to the following rules in order to table on Co-op property:

Organizations may reserve time to table any day for up to four (4) hours between 12:00pm and 7:00pm.* Reservations must be made at least one week in advance with the Owner Resources Coordinator at the store where the organization plans to hold their tabling event. Reserving space to table at the Co-op ensures that space and time will be available for organizations to present information. Reservations are first come, first served and may be denied or restricted due to scheduling priorities or other reasons.

Reservations are not complete until the Owner Resources Coordinator has provided confirmation to the organization.

Individuals representing the approved organization may NOT directly approach people anywhere on Co-op property or in the parking lot. Interaction must be initiated by the passerby. Aggressive canvassing or “hard-sell” tactics may result in suspension of tabling privileges.

Organizations are required to provide all their own supplies. Organizations are encouraged to use displays to attract attention to their cause, and allowed to provide the following things while tabling:

A table and chair(s).

A display with materials about the organization’s goals or relevant materials.

Petitions, provided they are nonpartisan and the organization adheres to compliance with the third bullet point (not directly approacing people, no agressive canvassing).

Product. Eligible organizations must receive pre-approval from the Director of Cooperative Services to sell product. Permission will be granted on a case-by-case basis. Please discuss needs with the Owner Resources Coordinator when making reservation.

Organizations and all of their property must be clear of any walkways into or out of the store’s entrance.

Musicians Policy

Willy Street Co-op supports providing opportunities for free performances by musicians on Co-op property. Performance content and Musician conduct must be nondiscriminatory. Any form of discrimination based on age, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, disability, or any other category protected by state or federal law is contrary to the principles and policies of Willy Street Co-op.

The following is required to perform music on Co-op property:

Interested Musicians must check-in with a Manager on Duty at the location they wish to perform. Approved musicians will be placed on a list for Co-op staff to keep internally for awareness purposes.

Musicians are allowed to perform for up to two (2) hours per day, any day between 12:00pm and 7:00pm. Use of performance space is granted on a first come, first serve basis.

Occasionally, nonprofit organizations will reserve space between 12:00pm and 7:00pm to provide information about their services. Musicians are not able to use Co-op property to perform when these organizations are present.

Out of respect for our Owners and neighbors, music performed must be acoustic (no electric instruments). Acoustic music that can be heard beyond the Co-op parking lot is not allowed.

Due to space limitations, only music may be performed, no other types of performance art is allowed.

Musicians and all of the Musician’s property must be clear of any walkways into or out of the store’s entrance.

Busking, or leaving a repository for donations is allowed, however, Musicians may NOT directly approach people anywhere on Co-op property or in the parking lot. Interaction must be initiated by the passerby. Aggressive canvassing or “hard-sell” tactics may result in suspension of Musician privileges.

Street Pulse Vending Policy

Willy Street Co-op supports providing opportunities for Street Pulse Vendors to sell their paper to our community in a designated area outside on Co-op property. Vendors shall conduct business in a nondiscriminatory manner. Any form of discrimination based on age, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, disability, or any other category protected by state or federal law is contrary to the principles and policies of Willy Street Co-op.

Criteria for selling Street Pulse on Co-op property:

Interested Vendors may make a one month agreement with the Owner Resources Coordinator at the store location where they plan to sell Street Pulse on one specific day per week from 10:00am-12:00pm. Agreements are issued first come, first served.

Agreements must be signed by both the Vendor and the Owner Resources Coordinator prior to using Co-op property. Copies of the signed agreement will be kept on file at the Co-op and issued to the Vendor.

Agreements may be renewed each month. Vendors are encouraged to contact the Owner Resources Coordinator to renew their agreement the week prior to expiration to guarantee their currently scheduled time.

Vendors are required to wear a tag or lanyard identifying them as Street Pulse Vendors.

Vendors and all of the Vendor’s property must be clear of any walkways into or out of the store’s entrance.

Vendors may request to use a Co-op chair, and vendors must provide all other supplies they may need. Vendors are allowed to provide the following things while selling Street Pulse:

Copies of Street Pulse.

A table.

A display with materials about Street Pulse’s mission or relevant materials.

Vendors may NOT directly approach people anywhere on Co-op property or in the parking lot. Interaction must be initiated by the passerby. Aggressive canvassing or “hard-sell” tactics may result in suspension of vending privileges.

Coupon Policy

Offering “fairly priced goods” is part of our mission statement; offering coupons is one way we can do even better. We're happy to accept coupons prior to the expiration date, contingent upon purchases meeting the coupon usage requirements.

We do not accept:

Multiple manufacturer’s coupons on the same item.

Multiple store coupons on the same item.

“Free” coupon on items that are currently priced “buy one get one free.”

Additionally:

We follow all rules printed on coupons.

We accept valid internet coupons. (To be considered valid, the coupon must have an expiration date, a bar code that we can scan, and a retailer mailing address for coupon redemption all printed on the coupon. We do not accept internet coupons good for free items.)

In the case where a coupon exceeds the value of the product, we will not be able to give cash back.

Willy Street Co-op reserves the right to refuse any coupon for any reason.